Push In NY To Remove Guns From Domestic Abusers

Governor Andrew Cuomo wants to give police officers in New York the legal power to remove firearms from a home after a case of domestic violence. Currently, firearms must be surrendered by someone charged with domestic violence only if the suspect is named in an order of protection, or if a judge decides the accused poses a threat to the protected person.

The measure has the support of Amy Barasch, who served as executive director for the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, and is now the executive director of the New York City-based group Her Justice.

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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is getting a head start on his State of the State proposals, and says he’ll propose a bill to close a loophole that allows some convicted of domestic violence to possess guns.

For women being subjected to domestic violence, getting help doesn’t just mean calling the police. Oftentimes, they can gain protection from civil court proceedings — but many can’t afford a lawyer. An organization called Her Justice works to fill that gap, supplying lawyers to domestic violence victims, who are often poor. Executive Director Amy Barasch (bare-ish), who headed the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence from 2007 to 2012, spoke with WAMC’s Ian Pickus.